The zombie workshop was a fun way to spark interest for the annual Zombie Walk in Toronto.

This year, the five-kilometre walk was on Oct. 22 and featured thousands of gruesome, creative costumes and makeup for zombie lovers of all ages.

With paints, tissue paper, and brushes, the workshop began with the group spreading a thin layer of white paint to their face, making them seem pale. Liquid latex was then added for a flesh-peeling effect.

Then came the best part – adding blood.

“I’m into zombies because they’re really cool,” Melanie Lamana, a teenager whose favorite zombie movie is 28 Days Later said. “My favourite part is the blood.”

The class added homemade blood to the dried liquid latex to add a realistic sense of gore and decomposition.

I always liked horror movies and liked the thought of a group of monsters who walked in the night

— Thea Munster

Thea Munster, the makeup teacher, has been interested in zombies since the movie Night of the Living Dead.

“I always liked horror movies and liked the thought of a group of monsters who walked in the night,” Munster said.

Growing up in Victoria B.C., there were few resources to get zombie makeup. She started making her own with her friends.

“That’s how I got into it,” Munster said. “When I moved to [Toronto]…I could get the makeup but didn’t meet anyone who liked to dress up – so I started the zombie walk.”

The walk began nine years ago with seven people. Now, the walk generates 7,000 participants.

“Now I’m teaching little kids how to do their own makeup which is awesome,” Munster said.

Jana Makulova, a mini zombie who participated in the workshop, had Munster sponge fake blood over her mouth for a scary effect.

“It’s really cool and I like the makeup,” Makulova said. “My favourite part is [Munster] putting makeup on me.”

The Zombie Walk raises money for the walk, starting in the summer with events such as the zombie car wash.

“I’m a zombie from August till October,” Munster laughed.

She says some people don’t understand the point of dressing or putting on makeup to resemble a zombie.

“But, as soon as they come to the walk or see it, they join in in the following year or they really like it,” Munster said. “People might see it as other people wanting to spread violence, but when they come it’s all just for fun.”